Equestrian Vacations

Whilst trawling the web for today’s horse article, I came across this tongue-in-cheek list of lessons that a horse can give…. (author unknown)

• When you’re tense, let me teach you that there are lions in the woods, and we need to leave. NOW!!

• When you’re short tempered, let me teach you how to slog around the pasture for an hour before you catch me.
• When you’re short-sighted, let me teach you to figure out where, exactly, in 40 acres I’m hiding.
• When you’re quick to react, let me teach you that herbivores kick much faster than omnivores. 

• When you’re worried, let me entertain you with my mystery lameness.
• When you feel superior, let me teach you that mostly, you’re the maid service.
• When you’re self-absorbed, let me teach you to pay attention!! (I told you about those lions in the woods…)
• When you’re arrogant, let me teach you what 1,200 pounds of yahoo-let’s-go! speed event horse can do when suitably inspired.
• When you’re lonely, let me be your companion. Let’s do lunch. Also breakfast, dinner, and snacks.

• When you’re tired, don’t forget the 600 pounds of grain that need to be unloaded.
• When you’re feeling financially secure, let me teach you the meaning of “veterinary services, additional.”

For a bespoke horse riding holiday in the UK, Europe or Peru check out www.equestrian-escapes.com or contact us on 01829 781123.

Some pictures just don’t need captions!

There is nothing like Mom’s lap no matter who you
are.

This is a newborn offspring of Taskin, a

Gypsy Stallion owned by Villa Vanners of Oregon .

These pictures were taken immediately after his birth on April 6 2010.

The mare laid down, and then he trotted around and crawled right up into her lap.

Take a moment out of your busy day to enjoy these pictures, lovely!

http://www.equestrian-escapes.com/

A holiday recently added to Equestrian Escapes’ range of inspiring riding holidays is in Swaledale, North Yorkshire.  The beautiful Yorkshire Dales provide an excellent location for pony trekking, for the novice and experienced rider alike.

A range of accommodation awaits; B&B, a Georgian Country House Hotel or pretty self catering cottage – the choice is yours!  After a short session in the riding centre’s arena getting to know your mount, you will then venture into the spectacular Yorkshire heather moorland for a pony trekking experience you will not forget.  What better way to enjoy the stunning Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors than on horseback!

Choose between one hour, half day or full day pony trekking aboard one of the Fell, Dale or Cob horses, all with exceptional temperaments.  All pony trekking excursions are supervised by an experienced and qualified guide and are suitable for all levels of rider. 

Those that are not yet confident in the saddle need not miss out on their pony trekking experience as lead rein treks are available for younger, less experienced riders.

What are you waiting for?  Blow the cobwebs away and stave off any winter blues with a visit to Yorkshire!

View at dawn over The Dales

As the nights start to draw in and the leaves start to tumble we enter the season of extra mucking out and large winter rugs! But don’t despair; we are also entering the season of crisp mornings and cool, often cloud free afternoons, ideal for winter horse riding.

Horse riding is a 12 months of the year sport not like cricket and rugby where enthusiasts must take a sometimes unwelcome break from their passions for months at a time. Horses need riding all year round and although the hours that you can ride may become limited, the diversity of riding out country can increase! As the hay and straw is cut from the fields many acres of stubble fields beckon to the seasoned rider promising long stretches of canter paths. The beaches too have miraculously cleared after the busy summer months and all true riding enthusiasts know there is nothing quite as exhilarating as galloping along an abandoned stretch of golden sand during your winter horse riding!

As the weather becomes colder we are all guilty of spending more and more time inside in often stuffy and over heated houses, wrap up warm and climb aboard a walking central heating machine to enjoy the changing scenery of Britain.

Many foreign travellers will tell you that one of Britain’s most alluring qualities is the four definite seasons that we experience each year and certainly one of the best places to experience this is from horseback! One of my favourite activities around Christmas is to saddle up and ride through the lanes enjoying all of the houses Christmas decorations, it makes me feel festive and hacking out on Christmas morning is a treat I will never deny myself! For those wanting to enjoy a few days away from the stress of everyday living then a riding holiday is a perfect way to rest and unwind. Two days spent riding out in the glorious English countryside and two nights spent in a country house hotel staring into a blazing log fires recounting your experiences is a recipe for success. Horse riding is good for mind and soul, it is the best medicine for stress I have yet to find! With the extra calories burnt you can come home at night and not feel so guilty tucking into the odd mince pie.

Autumn and winter are readily approaching and what better place to appreciate the wonderful rusting colours of fall and the morning frost on the ground than from one of the ten uniquely decorated bedrooms in our luxury country house hotel.

The hotel stands in 17 acres of formal gardens and parkland with wonderful views across the Cheshire countryside towards the Welsh mountains – an ideal touring base for Chester and North Wales and a perfect pre-Christmas romantic setting!

We’re offering a two night stay in this beautiful country house hotel, four riding opportunities and a free beauty treatment all for £265. The perfect birthday or Christmas present!

During your stay you will enjoy expert tuition and wonderful riding out along picturesque bridleways of Delamere forest. These holidays are suitable for all abilities and ages.

The on-site beauty therapy suite offers a wide range of treatments including non-surgical and surgical treatments. Our favourites include the spiritual healing hand ritual – a combination of a deluxe manicure with an energy boosting massage, ideal therapy for your hands after a long days riding. And the back neck and shoulder massage to sooth those aching muscles.

The famous Roman walled City of Chester is only fifteen minutes away. Packed with culture and its magical magpie buildings it’s an abundance of character and is a place not to be missed when visiting Cheshire. From the 12th November the streets are lit up making Chester the ideal place to do your Christmas shopping and soak up the festive atmosphere.

This holiday offer lasts until the 23rd December, so get in contact with Equestrian Escapes now on 01829 781 123 autumn/winter horse riding holiday in Cheshire! The free beauty treatment only applies to booking made Monday to Friday, offer excludes weekends.

Yet again, a dazzling and fantastic horse riding holiday in Cheshire, brought to you by Equestrian Escapes!  Equestrian Escapes are based in Cheshire and thereby have many equestrian opportunities for you here!  Cheshire Horse Riding Holidays are of high standard, and come under our recommendation.

With this horse riding break, Equestrian Escapes are offering free treatment at the hotel spa – what more could anyone want after a day of riding?  On that note, you are able to pick and choose how much riding you do, and which of it will be lessons or hacking out. This horse riding break allows you to choose your itinerary, and Cheshire has so much to offer when you have time off!  The local towns are very inviting, and the pretty town of Tarporley (roughly ten minutes drive) is host to some lovely shops, and great pub food if you wish to dine away for the night…  Yet, you will find the food at the hotel simply divine!  Using local produce, you will be delighted by the delicious menu and extensive wine list.  The hotel’s facilities are equally as good, with beautiful gardens, swimming pool and tennis court and of course a selection of wonderful spa treatments…

When it comes to riding, you may wish to start off with a lesson, so that we can properly allocate your horse to you, and so we can gauge what level of riding you are at.  You will be able to enjoy the surrounding areas of the hotel, and will hack out down some quiet country lanes and scenic bridlepaths.  Delamere Forest is Cheshire’s most expansive woodland, and dog-walkers and horse-riders alike come from miles around to dive into it’s magical depths…

If you are a non-rider, and wish to explore Cheshire on anything other than horseback, then the historic City of Chester awaits you with it’s black and white tudor-style shopping rows, and there is always Beeston Castle with wonderful views of five counties and miles around!  You may hire a bicycle to get around on, and there are many fantastic walks that you can go on, and lots of country pubs with roaring fires that are wonderful to sit beside with a book!

This holiday offer lasts until October 31st, so get in contact with Equestrian Escapes now to book your luxury horse riding holiday in Cheshire!

Equestrian Escapes proudly present to you a luxury UK horse riding break with an offer that you cannot refuse.  Two nights in a 4* Spa Hotel in the beautiful East Devon and get a third absolutely free!  We are happy to  announce that in this offer you will enjoy a wonderful combination of lessons and hacks out in the scenic surrounding areas, making it an unforgettable weekend!

This really is a wonderful opportunity to bring your skills up to that higher level.  Our Devon Horse Riding Break provides expert tuition in dressage and show jumping and the facilities are excellent.  

If you are a beginner, then where better to start?  We provide a range of horses for all sizes and abilities, so I am sure you will find a friend to get along with!  On the morning of your arrival you will be matched with your furry companion and then will have a lesson as a small assessment.  You may then return to your accommodationfor a long lunch, perhaps followed by a book by the pool, a stroll on the beach or even some afternoon tennis?

If this, for you, may be more of a laid back holiday, you may choose how much riding you do, and whether you would like to ride out more, or receive more tuition.

Equestrian Escapes can tailor-make the holiday to suit you.  This luxury spa and ride horse riding holiday is located close to the coast so as you can imagine, the riding is simply unbelievable, yet I’ve heard the spa is good too..  On this holiday you can enjoy yourself, as everything you could possibly need is at your fingertips…

(Offer expires on the 31st October, 2010)

For any queries regarding this holiday, or for any information on any of our horse riding holidays, please do not hesitate to contact Equestrian Escapes.

Pony Trekking In The Yorkshire Dales

The vast stretches of countryside that make up the beautiful and ever-reaching Yorkshire Dales will envelop you and take you on a whirlwind adventure, that is a Pony Trekking Weekend!  For all up-and-coming equestrian enthusiasts, this is not one to be missed!  The Yorkshire Dales acts as a wonderful set to play your part on a pony trekking adventure holiday.  40 acres of grounds and 26 acres of woodland means that you are spoiled in the Yorkshire Dales.  Although this holiday is for children who are eager to ride, lessons and hacks can be arranged for adults, and non-riders are most welcome too!  The staff on site are there to educate, encourage and evaluate your child’s progress so that they take the steps to become a successful pony rider – the sky is the limit!

The Beautiful Yorkshire Dales

Accommodation is in the form of a self-catered cottage situated right next to the stables so that you are never too far from your horsey friend, and so that you can make yourselves comfortable and properly settle in during your horse riding holiday.  Facilities include both an indoor and outdoor riding arena and all levers of rider are most welcome.  If you are a more confident rider and there is something in particular you may wish to grasp the technique of, just tell our staff and they will be more than happy to work on it with you throughout your stay.  Stable management courses are also available for beginners, where children will also learn safety around their pony, how to tack up, etc.

This pony trekking holiday can be invaluable to those who are willing to take it seriously and are keen on horses, and I would recommend it to anyone!

Equestrian Escapes are delighted to bring to all our horse lovers a large variety of different horse riding breaks!

Berkshire has much to offer, and this short riding break is set on a large rural estate so that your horse ridingholiday will be one of peace and tranquility.  With this holiday you have a choice of accommodation, from self-catered to staying in the farmhouse where wonderful home cooking will be provided.  Local pubs and restaurants are only a short drive away if you fancy the night off.  Lessons available can be in the form of either private lessons, semi-private lessons or group riding lessons – the choice is up to you!  After the morning lesson followed by a lovely lunch, the scenic hack will begin where you will get a taster of the beauty of Berkshire…

Exeter is full to the brim with beautiful scenery and equine excellence.  This short break riding holiday allows you to work on your skills, with particularly good equestrian tuition in dressage and show jumping.  Accommodation again ranges from a farmhouse Bed & Breakfast, self-catered cottages and a luxurious Golf & Spa hotel with access to tennis courts.  Whatever your accommodation though, be assured that the Equestrian Escapes Team aim to bring to you the best holiday that will suit your needs.

If you are looking for a more romantic horse riding break away, then perhaps you should explore Wales.  The Isle

of Anglesey is situated near the stunning Snowdonian Mountain Range so the standard of beauty is very high.  Here is an opportunity to lose yourself in the great outdoors and get closer to nature by riding along the expansive coastline shores.  The horses available are varied, from ponies to experienced horses so that the rider will have a companion they can feel at ease with.  High quality instruction is available to all ages and standards of horse riding, so that one is able to get the most out of their horse riding break.

If ‘variety is the spice of life’ is your motto, then perhaps you should try some Western riding in Bournemouth.  This spectacular horse riding break is of high standard and more popular than you would first think! Western riding evolved from the ranching and warfare traditions brought to America by the Spanish Conquistadors, and both equipment and riding style evolved to meet the long hours in the saddle of the cowboy.  On this horse riding break you will sample some forest riding, trail riding and beach riding so that the scenery is varied and you and your horse will never tire of it!  

For any more information on any of our horse riding breaks or horse riding holidays, please contact Equestrian Escapes where we look forward to arranging your dream holiday….

Now that it is mid summer holidays, and the kids may be tiring of being at home, why not get them out on a horse riding adventure holiday?  At Equestrian Escapes we have a large range of horse riding holidays that are suitable for everyone, riders and non-riders alike.

Perhaps the kids want to learn to horse ride and learn to speak French whilst being around people of their own age group?  If this is the case, then Ireland is the one for you.

If you are looking to combine beauty and culture with equestrian excellence, then perhaps Barcelona and Catalonia may be the perfect family retreat.

If you are looking for a horse riding break for the family that is laid-back so that you can spend quality time with one another, as well as teaching new riders stable management and how to look after a horse, then Cheshire Forest Log Cabins could be the answer.  Situated among beautiful forests and great hacking areas, our Cheshire horse riding holidays are fun and a great way to explore the great outdoors.

For more information on any of our horse riding breaks, please get in contact with the Equestrian Escapes Team, where we will be happy to arrange your summer holiday.